Family questions ex-detective's claims that wife killed herself

TEMPLE, Ga. - The family of a woman found dead from a gunshot wound in her home is still seeking answers nearly three months later.

Gabriel Haynes said he does not know what to tell his three kids about what happened to their mom, because he still does not know what happened.

Tracey Richie, a former Cobb County detective, told deputies that his wife, Tianna Richie, took her own life at their Temple home in July, but family members find that hard to believe.

“I never thought she’d take her own life. When I heard that she’d passed away, it wasn’t because she did it,” uncle H.J. Cohran said.

“She was strong-willed. Very caring, and loved her kids, I mean, immensely loved her kids, and we don’t believe she’d do that without at least leaving some kind of note,” Haynes’ father, Herb Haynes, said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case shortly after Tianna Richie’s body was found. Agents said the investigation remains open and active. The county Coroner’s Office said the cause of death has not been determined and the death certificate has not been signed.

Tracey Richie was a nine-year veteran with the Cobb Police Department. He lost his job last week after he tested positive for steroids. He said he had no role in his wife’s death.

“I just want justice for Tianna. I don’t want this to be something like, ‘There’s no evidence there, it’s suicide, let’s just file this away,’” Cohran said.